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What aspects of state formation and international structure can explain conflict in the Horn of Africa?

This paper begins with an introduction of a synthesis and analysis of the complex patterns of international wars and internal conflicts in the Horn of Africa over the past four decades. The paper then discusses the relevant aspects of state formation and international structure that can jointly explain these patterns.

Three separate levels of conflict dynamics are addressed:

local conflicts among identity groups

conflicts among contenders for national power

international wars between national governments

The article finds that:

similar dynamic patterns occur in each level

these conflicts are linked through resource exchanges between organizations operating at different levels

the ready availability of coercion-relevant resources undercuts actors’ incentives to seek more creative solutions to their conflicts, thus fuelling continued conflict at all three levels

The article indicates that an understanding of conflict dynamics in the Horn of Africa requires a synthesis of:

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